I hate this! {declared my client} Excuse me? This is NOT something I want to hear while organizing with a client. I saw she was overwhelmed, annoyed and frustrated about the boxes of memorabilia, mostly papers, we discovered. It felt like an impossible feat for her to sort it all out. She wanted to…
Get your FREE road map for downsizing guidance and support.
You won’t believe what turns up while decluttering with clients
Has clutter concealed money in your home? You’ll find out once you start sorting through your papers, boxes, and piles. My clients have discovered thousands of dollars hidden among clutter in their homes. People are thrilled when we find sizable checks they thought were lost forever. We’ve also found loose change and bills. We once…
Practical tips for organizing your home maintenance records
If you own a home, you know that a home requires care and upkeep in the form of repairs, renovations and regular maintenance. There are systems you can put in place to organize home maintenance paperwork including receipts, service providers and projects. Your first consideration when organizing home maintenance items is to decide whether you…
Instant decluttering tips for a cleaner home
This is the last my series of tips to help you start eliminating clutter and take you from overwhelmed to organized. Apply the “one-in, one-out” rule to your home. For every item you bring in, one should be donated or discarded. This may need to be modified to one-in, 10-out until your home feels comfortable. Give…
7 winning organizing strategies
This week I’m sharing more of my top strategies to help you go from overwhelmed to organized. 1. Use containers while de-cluttering instead of creating piles. You’ll need these clearly labeled containers next to the area you are de-cluttering: donate, sell, trash, recycle, items to keep but go elsewhere and shred. 2. Find a home for…
5 ways to start organizing when you’re overwhelmed
It’s not uncommon to dread the organizing process and feel paralyzed. I’m sharing my best tips to help you go from overwhelmed to organized in the next 3 blog posts. Start small. Choose a very tiny area to start, like one drawer, or commit to organizing for a short amount of time (15 minutes every week).…
Unique holiday gift ideas for every person on your list
With gift-giving season upon us, you might like these nifty options that won’t add clutter to the recipient’s life. Requests: Ensure your gift will be put to use and enjoyed by asking the recipient for their wish list. If you don’t want to spill the beans and ask them directly for ideas, enlist the help of…
What you definitely need to do before buying bulk quantities
Before you buy an enormous package of toilet paper or a colossal container of berries from your local warehouse club store consider these factors. Do you have room in your home to store your bulk purchases, including the frozen and refrigerated items? Carefully ponder where you will put each and every item you place in…
A calm holiday season: Yes, it is possible!
The holiday season is approaching. Here are five things to do now to prepare for the holidays to avoid feeling frantic. Plan: It’s a busy time of year between traveling, work parties, school events, social activities, guests and all the other events that happen during the holidays. Schedule these activities in your calendar so you don’t…
How to banish bathroom clutter
These common organizing mistakes make it more difficult to banish bathroom clutter. Buying too many health and beauty supplies in advance or making duplicate purchases. I know it’s hard to resist a sale or a lotion with an appealing aroma. You’ve probably found yourself testing new products and before you knew it they were in your…
How to transition you clothing closet for fall
Fall is here. Is your wardrobe ready for the changing weather? If the answer is no, use these handy tips to help you transition your closet into fall. Make sure you check your winter wardrobe before cold weather sets in. Try everything on, especially the pieces you have doubts about. Do all your pieces fit? Will…
How to downsize and declutter without being ruthless
As a professional organizer, I’ve often used the expression “be ruthless.” My clients and those who follow me are urged to be ruthless while decluttering and making decisions about stuff. After discovering the true definition of ruthless is uncaring, cruel, and cold-blooded, I’m now hesitant to use it. Let’s focus on a kinder expression while…
Choosing the right hangers for an organized closet
Wire hangers aren’t your only options for keeping your clothing clean, wrinkle-free and off the floor. Let’s go over the different hanger options and their functions. Wire hangers, in my opinion, have one function, transporting clothing from the dry cleaner to your home. After the items are home, switch to another type of hanger if…
